Bloch's catfish (Pimelodus blochii)

Scientific name: Pimelodus blochii Valenciennes, 1840

Bloch's catfish (Pimelodus blochii)

The Bloch's catfish (Pimelodus blochii) is a freshwater fish of the family Pimelodidae that grows to about 25 cm (9.8 in). It is easy to keep and aggressive and needs a tank of at least 210 L (55 US gal), water at 20–26°C (68–79°F) and a pH of 6.0–7.5. Native range: South America, River basins from Panama to Brazil.

Bloch's catfish care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Temperament
Aggressive
Adult size
25 cm (9.8 in)
Minimum tank
210 L (55 US gal)
Temperature
20–26°C (68–79°F)
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
4–10 dGH (71–178 ppm)
Diet
Omnivore. Accepts pellets, algae wafers, frozen foods and brine shrimp.

Biology

Gregarious. Appears to be active either at night or during the day. Seeks shelter under dead wood and are capable of intestinal breathing. Commonly occurs in the lower reaches of large rivers. Known to feed on fruits, thus helping to scatter several plant seeds. Also feeds on small fishes and insects and often manifests the behavior of a detritivore. Probably migrate upstream during reproduction. The female lays an average of 50,000 eggs which are fertilized externally.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Pimelodus blochii
Family
Pimelodidae (Long-whiskered catfishes)
Order
Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
35.0
Common length
20.0
Environment
Freshwater; brackish;; pH range: 6.0 - 7.5; dH range: 4 - 10 benthopelagic; catadromous
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
South America: Gulf of Paria, Amazon, Corantijn, Essequibo, and Orinoco basins.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

More catfish & plecos

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Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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